The number of working payphones in the city has plummeted by more than 50% since 2008, with 11,249 still active in the five boroughs as of January, according to data from the New York City Independent Budget Office.

The Bronx, Brooklyn and Staten Island have seen the number of active payphones drop by about 60% over the last five years, with Queens seeing a decline of 52% and Manhattan down 33%, the IBO said.

The city earlier this year unveiled prototypes to replace payphones, with some models including Wi-Fi service and touch screens.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East," and shows us the Long Island Aquarium, a comfort food restaurant in Baiting Hollow, a Riverhead greenhouse and Albert Einstein's connections to the East End. Credit: Newsday Staff

'It's definitely a destination' NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East," and shows us the Long Island Aquarium, a comfort food restaurant in Baiting Hollow, a Riverhead greenhouse and Albert Einstein's connections to the East End.

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East," and shows us the Long Island Aquarium, a comfort food restaurant in Baiting Hollow, a Riverhead greenhouse and Albert Einstein's connections to the East End. Credit: Newsday Staff

'It's definitely a destination' NewsdayTV's Doug Geed takes us "Out East," and shows us the Long Island Aquarium, a comfort food restaurant in Baiting Hollow, a Riverhead greenhouse and Albert Einstein's connections to the East End.

SUBSCRIBE

Unlimited Digital AccessOnly 25¢for 6 months

ACT NOWSALE ENDS SOON | CANCEL ANYTIME